"The right of revolution is an inherent one. When people are oppressed by their government, it is a natural right they enjoy to relieve themselves of oppression, if they are strong enough, whether by withdrawal from it, or by overthrowing it and substituting a government more acceptable." - General Ulysses S. Grant
"This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember it or overthrow it." A. Lincoln
Lincoln flip-flopped on this issue for political reasons. Like any politician, he changed his "opinion" as often as he changed his shirt. Grant actually wrote this in his postbellum memoirs, but stipulated that even though the right of revolution exists, the revolutionaries still have to win the fight for their freedom. In other words, Grant believed in "might makes right." Yankee devils.
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